Sinwar was likely trying to flee to Gaza humanitarian zone when killed

Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Part of the IDF force that encountered and killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar seen operating in Rafah in an undated picture released on October 18, 2024 (Israel Defense Forces)
Part of the IDF force that encountered and killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar seen operating in Rafah in an undated picture released on October 18, 2024 (Israel Defense Forces)

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was likely trying to reach the Al-Mawasi Humanitarian Area adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea in the southeastern Gaza Strip when he was killed.

The Times of Israel understands that the IDF believes that the terror leader had originally been driven from Khan Yunis to Rafah due to Israeli military pressure which left him feeling boxed in and forced him to move locations, staying underground as much as possible, potentially up to 90 percent of the time.

He then tried to leave Rafah where he was ultimately spotted and killed by an IDF force operating in the area.

After his death, IDF forces discovered 40,000 Shekels ($10,780) on Sinwar’s body.

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